North Dakota Dog Owners: Beware Of This Danger

If you are a pet owner, you want to do everything you can to take care of and protect your little buddy.

We watch what they eat, we make sure they're hydrated, we smother them in love and give them tons of pets-- we do it all.

One thing I know many of us are going to be doing this weekend, and as much as possible this spring and summer, is walking our dogs.

You're probably aware of the obvious dangers, like cars, heat exhaustion, and predatory animals, but there's one thing you might not consider

While you're out walking your dogs in these warm weather months, beware of this.

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Sidewalks

As humans, we walk on sidewalks all the time. --That's what pedestrians are supposed to do. It's safer than the street, and not as bumpy as the grass.

Yes, sidewalks make those summer strolls nice and easy, but on a hot day, you should check on your pet's paws.

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Those sidewalks can get scorching hot, and they can burn the pads of your puppy's paws.

According to PetMD pad burns can lead to loss of tissue, infections, and long-term effects like chronic pain.

I'd avoid walking your dog during the hottest parts of the day, and look for sidewalks that are lined with trees.

Maybe instead of a walk, you take your dog to the dog park, so you can avoid the sidewalks altogether. Your pup can run through the grass and socialize with other dogs.

Now that we're aware of that risk, let's look at some of the cutest pets we'll see out and about this spring!